Ralph Ray was born on 20 October 1930 and died in June at the grand old age of 95. He was born in Berlin and fled the horrors of Nazi Germany in 1938 to move to the UK. He lost his father, Hans, in the Holocaust.
Educated at St Paul’s School in London, having gained a junior scholarship, Ralph went on to study for his degree at the London School of Economics.
He enjoyed his national service as a second lieutenant in the army from 1952-1953.
Ralph dedicated his professional life to the law and was a very successful solicitor. He worked for Theodore Goddard, but mainly Wedlake Saint, for over 35 years and became senior partner in 1990. He then continued to work as a consultant for 11 years for Shoosmiths and Wilsons, before retiring in 2007 at the age of 76.
Ralph was a specialist in personal taxation and in particular inheritance tax, and was without doubt a colossus in his field. Throughout his career he lectured across the country, often delivering 40 lectures a year. He also wrote several books on personal taxation/inheritance tax. They included the leading guide for inheritance tax lawyers which still bears his name - Ray and McLaughlin’s Practical Inheritance Tax Planning.
He was also a founder member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), and a member of the Council of the Chartered Institute of Taxation for 15 years.
Throughout his life Ralph enjoyed many hobbies and pastimes, including the theatre, painting, travel, motorbikes, walking and stick whittling.
Ralph had five children - Paul, Simon, Emma, and twins Henry and Oliver. His eldest son Paul is also a lawyer. He also had two stepchildren (Gillian and Roger) and two step grandchildren. In 2010 Ralph moved to Lichfield to be near Paul and his family. He loved Lichfield and died peacefully and comfortably in a care home.
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